My baby chick has reddish brown droppings. Is this a health concern?

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. Great question! From what I can tell based on the photos I think the first two poops look OK. The brown one looks a bit more abnormal just based on color but again, that could be diet related. I do think taking them to the vet for an exam is best. That way you can get the stools testing and talk about the diet and all their husbandry to see if that is contributing to any abnormal stools you are seeing. Here is to a link to an article that may help answer more of your questions: ( http://greencheekconure.net/2014/12/green-cheek-conure-droppings-5-types-of.html ) The probiotic is fine to give - that was a good idea on your part! I am not familiar with that particular product but I don't think it will be a problem. Hope this helps. Best wishes!

Thank you for your question about Pecker, and I really appreciate you including pictures as they are very helpful! The droppings overall look very normal and appropriate, which is great. The urates are bright and white and the amount of urine is appropriate. I see what you mean about the difference in color - the lighter brown are less concerning to me than the darker colored ones. The reason for that is dark brown to black stools can be indicative of digested blood in the feces, also known as melena. In Pecker's case, with him being very new to you and you doing a diet switch (which is great, by the way - I recommend that budgies eat at least 50% pellets and then the rest of the diet can be made up of seed and produce items), I wouldn't worry too much because it may be due to the transition. However, if the dark stools continue, it would be advisable to take Pecker in for a wellness examination to have him (and his feces) evaluated. When you go, please make sure that you bring some of the dark feces, as your veterinarian can have it tested for occult (hidden) blood. They can also perform a thorough physical exam on him. Also, if anything about Pecker changes, including his attitude or appetite, this would also be reason to go into a veterinarian sooner rather than later. I would recommend regular weighing for him as well - you can do this by using a perch on top of a digital gram scale (found in the kitchen section of most department stores). I would recommend doing this 3 times per week. This will allow you to ensure he is not getting chunky or losing weight for some reason! Good luck with your new pet!

Thanks for your question about Blue. From what I can gather, you are concerned about her watery droppings, but you don’t have any other concerns about her. If this isn’t correct, please repost your question. Watery droppings can be loose poop, but it can also be increased urine. Since Blue just laid eggs, she may be stressed, which can result in an increase in waterin the droppings. This should improve within a few days of her laying the eggs. If things don’t improve, there may be something else going on. This can include problems with her kidneys or infectious diseases (such as bacteria). If the droppings don’t improve, I would recommend that Blue is taken to a veterinarian for evaluation. They can take a close look at her and the droppings and can look at a sample under the microscope. From there, they can make treatment recommendations. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Here is a good article on bird poop: https://www.petcoach.co/article/bird-droppings-the-importance-of-daily-observation-in-early/ It would help to know what breed of bird you have and what you feed your bird and whether your bird is showing any signs of illness or discomfort, as this also would determine whether the poop on the pictures is abnormal or normal. So maybe you can ask the question again giving us this information so we can help you better,

Parasites and some types of foods can also cause the urates to change color slightly, so deworming your flock (if you haven't already) and making sure the starter/grower feed you're feeding doesn't have dyes, etc in it that can change stool color may also help. Respiratory issues and infections can also sometimes cause color changes to the stool as well. If the pullet isn't growing well, seems ill, or you've recently dewormed, then having a vet rule out other issues is best.

Thanks for reaching out about your chick and including photos. The lesions appear like vesicles and a bacterial or viral etiology would be high on the list. A veterinary visit should be scheduled to help with an assessment and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. This chick should b e separated from others because viral disease are possibly contagious to other birds. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some aid. Cleaning/dabbing the lesions with a dilute povidine/betadyne solution might help but does not replace a veterinary visit. Wash hands well after handling to prevent cross contamination. Good luck.

Thank you for your question about Blue. I am glad that you asked, as no, this is not a normal color or consistency for budgie feces to have. I didn't see how old Blue was, or if she was on any medications, but I would recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian. Dark, tarry stool like what you are describing may be due to digested blood. This can be secondary to some medications, certain toxins if she has gotten into something, or can be due to certain diseases of the intestinal tract. Your veterinarian can gather a detailed history from you which may reveal the cause, and will perform a thorough examination. From there, they may have recommendations for diagnostic testing. If possible, bring pictures, or even better a sample, of the stool for them to look at. They may also prescribe medications for Blue. Please do not give her any human medications, as many of these are harmful for our feathered friends. I hope that gives you a place to start, and that Blue feels better soon.